Electric furnace.



F. EYEHMANN.

ELECTRICAL FURNACE. APPLICATION f-ILED DEC.5,1912.

latend July 1, 1916.

Wnesses: 23

f I Inve 'n 11o r.'

QM 21m@ u@ 0721 PETER EY-ERMANN, 0F wI'TKoWiTz, AUSTRIA-HUNGARY.

ELECTRIC FURNACE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented o uiy a, 1916.

Application filed December 5, 1912` Serial No. 735,091.

To all 'whom it may concern: Y Be it known that I, PETEREYERMANN, a citizen of the United States, residing at lVitkowitz, l\Io`ra\'ia` in the Empire of Aus- Y tria-l-lungary, have invented a new and usefnl lmprorement in Electrical Furnaces, 0f which the folloui'ngis ay specification.

This invention relates to electrical furnaces and more particularly to furnaces of this kind for operating on metals, ores or the like.

The objects of the invention are to produce an efiicient and reliable electricl furnace which can he built in large sizes without complicating the construction or reducing the efliciency of operation thereof; also to so mount the crucible of the furnace that it can readily be tilted to completely empty the same; also to improve the construction -of furnaces of this kind in the respects here-V ina fter mentioned.

The accompanying drawing shows a sectional elevation' of a furnace embodying the invention.

Briefly stated, the furnace comprises a Crucible which is mounted in a supporting frame Vor'cradle and a roof or arch forthe crucible supported' over the same and through which the electrodes pass, the Crucible and roof `being so arranged that one is rotatable relative to the otherto per'- mit the current from the electrodes to act on different portions of the Crucible during the operation of thel furnace.l In theconstruction .shown the Crucible-is rotatable relatively to thesupporting frame or cradle, and the frame adapted to be tilted to pour the charge out of the Crucible.

In the particular embodiment of the inrention shown in the drawings, l represents a vessel, cruciblel'or container for the material to be acted upon andwhich may be constructed in any usual or suitable manner, for example, the Crucible may comprise an outer metal housing containing thc usual acid 0r basic lining of refractory material.

The Crucible is suitably mounted on a sup` porting frame in such a manner as to permit able guide members 4 on the Crucible and the frame also serve to prevent the dis lacement of the Crucible relatively to the fliame. Rotary motion may be imparted to the crucible in any desired manner, `for example, by means of a worm 10 engaging with a suitable gear attached to the Crucible. The worm is driven through intermediate gearlng by means of :1n-electric motor 1l 0r other source of power. v

The frame 5 is mounted on a suitable base 27 in such a manner that the metal or slag contained therein can be poured off by tilting or rocking the frame. For this purpose the base or lower portion of the frame in the construction shown is made curved or in the `form of a rocker and is adapted to be rocked on the base 27 by hysaaulic or other power operated mechanism, as shown at 23.

The Crucible is coveredby an arch or roof G of refractory material which is suitably,-

secured inv a reinforcing member or truss 15 supported at 7 on the frame 5 of the cruthe crucible to be rotated relatively to the .cruciblc, whiclr holds the crucible at all times central withfrctard to the frame 5. Suit cible. I A

The roof is provided with holes or 0pen ings through which electrodes 8 extend.'

The electrodes may vary in number, and are so arranged on thereof that'rthecenter line of the group of electrodes, represented by the huel 19 19, will be eccentricV with regard to the axis of rotation ot'vthe Crucible, represented by the line 3 S, so that when the Crucible is rotated on its axis each of the Y tively to the charge in the Crucible, thus subjecting the various parts of the metal bath to the action of the current. The electrodes may dip into the metal, indicated at 9, or into the slag 9, or may be held at the surface of the bath, as indicated at 22. Other electrodes S may be arranged in the walls of the Crucible and current is conducted t0 these electrodes by means of brushes or the like 30 engaging a. Contact ring 3l which is secured on and insulated from the frame 5.

A clearance space 2G between the Crucible and the roof maybe packed in any suitable manner to make a tight joint and to permit relative motion between the roof and the Crucible.

2l represents guides lor collars for the electrodes at the roof of `the Crucible. y

The electrodes may be held in operative relation to the'bath and are adiustable relatirely to the bath in any suitable manner.

In the construction shown the electrodes are suspended fromA an arm or crane 1G which is mounted on a base 18 atone'side of the uinacef1j-.aiid which extends over the Crucible. The "crane is preferably constructed to turn aboutthe axis of a pivot or trunnion 17. so that-the electrodes can be swung -to a position at one'side of the furnace when itis desiredto change .the electrodes or to repair the furnace.'

represents an attending floor from which the furnace can be charged through charging doors or openings, suchas ind-i- 'cated at 20, and from Awhich theaction of the furnace can he observed.' Y i For pouring a discharging material from the furnace, a tappingspout '12 is provided on the crucible.- This spout may he rigidly secured to the crucible or may be made readily detachable so thatitv can be placed in operative relation only when it is desired to pour oft' metal or slag, and'cin be removed from the furnace during the-rotation of the crueible, suitable attaching means or langes 13' of usual construction being provided 'when the spout is made removable. the spout is rigidly fixed on the furnace, the frame 5 is extended outwardly at both ends thereof, as indicated at 14, to permit the spout to turn within thev frame. Any other suitable means may be provided forv facilitating the pourin'gof the material .from the' furnace.` v

`Electric furnaces of the kind described require only a small lnumber of electrodes owing to the relative movement between the electrodes andthe crucible, so that each elcc.

`tro`de acts on' a considerable portion of the bath, thus insuringa uniforml treatment of the same. The relative rota/'tion of the crucible with regard to'the electrodes keeps thc 'metal -bath more 0r-less,f'agitated' and this also helps to maintain arriere uniform treatment throughout the bath.i lil-hen furnaces of this kind are built inflarger sizes, the electrical connections do not become coin- 'lz-'icated as they 'do ing'furnacesrin which a large number of 'electrodes are used, and the losses of power incident, to the employment of a large number of electrodes are eliminated. TheV furnaceA described also has the advantage that itv can be readilyftilted in Limi-9,356

electrodes, and means for tiltingthe crucible for pouring the charge out of the saine.

2. In an electric furnace, the combination of ajcrucible, electrodes extending into said Crucible, means for producing a relative r0- tary movement between the Crucible and the electrodes, a suppoiting"frame in which said Crucible is held, and -ineans for. tilting the frame for pouring the charge out of the 3. In an electric furnace, the combination of a crucible, a frame supportings'aid crucivble, a. roof for the Crucible supported'on said frame, electrodes extending through said roof into said Crucible, means for pro-V dueing 'relative rotaryinovement between the Crucible and `said roch-and means for tiltlngsaid supporting frame.

,4. ln an electric furnace, the combination of a Crucible, a roof forthe Crucible, actu! I ating means for producing relative 'movenient between said erucib'le and said roof., electrodes extending 'through said roof and held against movement 'relatively thereto, and a frame supporting said Crucible, said roof andsaid actuating means. i

5. ln an electric furnace, the combina- -tion of a Crucible., a roof forthe Crucible,

electrodes extending through said roof, ac-

tuating means for producing relative Inovement Abetween said c'ruoible 'and said roof,

ainovable jtranie supporting said Crucible,

said roof and said actuating' mechanism',-

and'means for ino\.`iiigsaid frame for pouring material outl of said-crumble.

- 6. In an electric urnace, the combinationv of a frame,l hearings mounted on said frame,V a Crucible supported onsaid hearingsand rotatable relatively vto said frame', means on said frame for holding the crucible in place, and means for tiltingY said frame. Y

7. In an electric furnace, the combination of a Crucible, means for rotating said crucible, electrodes extending into the cruciblc and arranged eccentrieally with regard to the axis of rotation thereof, and means for tilting' said Crucible.

S. ln an electric furnace, the combination of a Crucible, means for rotating said crucible, ectrodes extending into the Crucible and arranged' eccentrioally with regard to :lie axis of rotation thereof` electrodes arranged in the walls' of said Crucible, and

means for tilting-the 'c-rucible.

'In tertimony whereof I havesignedmy name to this specification in the presence of two Witnesses.

'PETER EYERMANN.

Witnesses:

AUGUST FUGGER, ADA 'Mania BERGER- iio 

